EXPLORING the FIELD TOGETHER - Q&A - Brisbane Local Food2020-06-07T10:24:44Zhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/forum/categories/exploring-the-field-together/listForCategory?categoryId=2047708%3ACategory%3A1221&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWEEDS - Pro's and con'stag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-06-07:2047708:Topic:4151582020-06-07T07:20:32.917ZChristahttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/Christa
<p>There is an old discussion on Weeds back in 2009. This is a reply to that discussion, that seems appropriate to me.</p>
<p><em>Reply by <a class="fn url" href="https://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=1w9l6sspoh2eb">Scarlett</a> on <span class="timestamp">July 29, 2009 at 22:34</span></em></p>
<div class="description" id="desc_2047708Comment16429"><div class="xg_user_generated"><em>I think of them as band-aids for the earth. You very rarely see empty earth in…</em></div>
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<p>There is an old discussion on Weeds back in 2009. This is a reply to that discussion, that seems appropriate to me.</p>
<p><em>Reply by <a href="https://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=1w9l6sspoh2eb" class="fn url">Scarlett</a> on <span class="timestamp">July 29, 2009 at 22:34</span></em></p>
<div class="description" id="desc_2047708Comment16429"><div class="xg_user_generated"><em>I think of them as band-aids for the earth. You very rarely see empty earth in nature. They usually move in to stabilise a disturbance event - like the removal of vegetation.</em><br/><br/><em>So if we have a weed problem, it's probably because of a plant deficiency. It's just a question of using natural succession processes to get rid of the undesirable opportunist and replace it with whatever you do want.</em><br/><br/><em>Natural succession is generally flat weeds, tap root weeds, leafy weeds, small bushes, leguminous trees, drought tolerant trees, other trees. You can use this to out-do whatever type of weed you have. Plant native raspberries on spurge, plant wattle trees in lantana, shade out vines with more trees (this one can be a hard battle with choker vines) etc. The only exception is weedy rain-forest type species - these need to be cut out :(</em><br/><br/><em>My front yard was a mass of whiteroot, but I've just been planting into holes in it and it's almost all gone now. I've not dug it up or poisoned it once.</em><br/><br/><em>Yes, imagine if vegetables were like apex species - it would be fantastic! Broccoli forests :)</em><br/><br/><em>The food forest uses this idea - I love sophisticated plantings like this. It's the whole basis behind permaculture really - using natural proceses for human habitat.</em><br/><br/><em>Wherever possible I use chop and drop for weeds - returns the nutrients, suppresses seedlings. Obviously doesn't work for cobbler's pegs :) (although sometimes i chop all the seeds in half with my fingernails and then do it)</em></div>
<div class="xg_user_generated"></div>
<div class="xg_user_generated">After looking for info on weeds- the pro's and cons, I came across this <a href="https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/62557/SWC_GardenBooklet_WEB_VERSION1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SITE</a></div>
<div class="xg_user_generated">unfortunately it is 80 odd pages of Escapees near the Sydney region. It was a little scary as I have so many of those plants in my back yard, which makes me think - are we going overboard with labelling some of these plants as a possible invasive.</div>
<div class="xg_user_generated">Share your views on this subject if you have any.</div>
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<p></p> Tips for growing strawberriestag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-06-03:2047708:Topic:4148152020-06-03T22:26:01.552ZSophiehttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/Sophie
<p>I've been fortunate to receive a bulk order of commercial strawberry runners and want to give them the best opportunity to fruit lusciously. Do you guys have tips - Susan, do you grow them in window boxes on your fenceline? I don't have the budget to buy in structures but have 3 bags of cow poo and some sugar cane mulch. How high up should they be to avoid pests/predators? How much soil depth would they need? Much appreciated :) will send photo when I'm done.<br></br>PS I have put some in an old…</p>
<p>I've been fortunate to receive a bulk order of commercial strawberry runners and want to give them the best opportunity to fruit lusciously. Do you guys have tips - Susan, do you grow them in window boxes on your fenceline? I don't have the budget to buy in structures but have 3 bags of cow poo and some sugar cane mulch. How high up should they be to avoid pests/predators? How much soil depth would they need? Much appreciated :) will send photo when I'm done.<br/>PS I have put some in an old gutter that I plan to maybe fix to the fence on a slight angle for draining but don't have another ta :)</p> Living Mulchtag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-06-02:2047708:Topic:4150052020-06-02T12:10:05.249ZDave Rileyhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/DaveRiley
<p>As a muchly keen mulcher I've spent years of effort carpeting my soil with dead matter. Usually anything that was once growing can be used as mulch this way. Chop and drop. Lawn clippings. Straw. Paper...</p>
<p>More recently I've been much taken with green, or living, mulching</p>
<p><em>Living mulch provides numerous benefits to the garden and soil. What is living mulch? <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Any plant</span> that is used to cover an area of soil and adds nutrients,…</em></p>
<p>As a muchly keen mulcher I've spent years of effort carpeting my soil with dead matter. Usually anything that was once growing can be used as mulch this way. Chop and drop. Lawn clippings. Straw. Paper...</p>
<p>More recently I've been much taken with green, or living, mulching</p>
<p><em>Living mulch provides numerous benefits to the garden and soil. What is living mulch? <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Any plant</span> that is used to cover an area of soil and adds nutrients, enhances soil porosity, decreases weeds and prevents soil erosion, among other attributes. Basically, living mulch is a low-growing ground cover that is planted for a variety of reasons. Planting a living mulch cover crop enhances next season’s planting area and minimizes a host of open space problems.</em> <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/grains/cover-crops/living-mulch-ground-cover.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more ...&gt;</strong></a></p>
<p>If you assume that any living mulch MUST BE a legume you'd be narrowing your mulching vision. If you look at the above definition there are many plants that 'could' serve as living mulches.</p>
<p><em>Living mulch is a t<span style="text-decoration: underline;">hick ground cover of perennial and self-seeding plants</span> – producing mulch right where you need it. It’s better for your soil because plants supply:</em></p>
<ul>
<li><em>Leaves and other organic materials to cover the surface of your soil and in your soil from their roots.</em></li>
<li><em>Root exudates (the sugars and proteins in root exudates to feed <a href="https://www.learningfromnature.com.au/soil-mycorrhizalfungi/"><span style="color: #d26900;">mycorrhizal fungi</span></a> and other microbes in your soil).</em></li>
<li><em>Opportunities to solve issues like compacted soil, nitrogen deficiencies, inadequate pollination and pest problems using <a href="https://www.learningfromnature.com.au/op/index.php/ess/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="color: #d26900;">ecological support plants</span></a> in your species. <a href="https://www.learningfromnature.com.au/living-mulch-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></em><a href="https://www.learningfromnature.com.au/living-mulch-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...&gt;</strong></a><em><br/></em></li>
</ul>
<p>I'll be doing a video soon about my experience with my living mulch -- this post is an introduction to the topic. The complication with backyard gardening is that much of the 'living mulch discussion' is geared towards large enterprises -- either green mulching for grazing or commercial horticulture. <em><br/></em></p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DsCAb1w235Q?wmode=opaque" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p>When space is at a premium, handing it over gratis to ground covers may be too much to ask when the habit is to simply throw straw or similar mulch down instead.</p>
<p>Also green mulches are not 'neat' and can make your yard look over grown.</p>
<p>Supposedly any kitchen gardener worth their credentials should spend an inordinate amount of their outdoor time weeding.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I use a whipper snipper on my green mulch if it gets too tall.I also may swathe it with <a href="https://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/photo/not-a-weapon-of-medieval-warfare-but-my-new-gardening-tool-a-long?context=user" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my sickle-on-a-stick</a> for any up close and personal encounters.I also move it aside when I'm planting seeds and seedlings.</p>
<p>But I , in the main, have decided to let it be...at least while I work out if it is doing me and my garden any good.</p>
<p>One thing I do know is that (touch wood) I don't suffer much from pests or diseases. In fact I never think of them being issues for my plant growing activism.</p>
<p>I'm still a dry (dead plant) mulcher -- year in year out of laying down grass clippings with a recent increasing reliance of cut Vetiver grass. I'm also <span style="text-decoration: underline;">growing Vetiver among my plants</span> as well around the borders of my beds.</p>
<p>I also grow Vetiver among a living green mulch.</p>
<p>"So what's my green mulch?"you ask.</p>
<p>The answer and discussion is coming soon to a page near you.</p>
<p><em><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uJk4R1xpMC8?wmode=opaque" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p><em><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/419KzOYcjGY?wmode=opaque" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</em></p> HOW MANY OF YOU ARE WILLING TO WAIT FOR FRUITtag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-27:2047708:Topic:4150582020-05-27T00:53:12.842ZChristahttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/Christa
<p>One of the most abundant fruiting plants in my yard are Plinia, genus Myrciaria then variety e.g. Sabara. They come under the Myrtacaea family as does Eugenia and Psidium. The jaboticaba are the plants you should have planted 10 years ago. Do it now!!!</p>
<p>They don’t necessarily have to grow in the ground, they can stay in pots for years, just keep graduating the pots in size. The most popular and most available of this type is available at nurseries in S.E.Queensland are Myrciaria…</p>
<p>One of the most abundant fruiting plants in my yard are Plinia, genus Myrciaria then variety e.g. Sabara. They come under the Myrtacaea family as does Eugenia and Psidium. The jaboticaba are the plants you should have planted 10 years ago. Do it now!!!</p>
<p>They don’t necessarily have to grow in the ground, they can stay in pots for years, just keep graduating the pots in size. The most popular and most available of this type is available at nurseries in S.E.Queensland are Myrciaria jaboticaba “Sabara”. They grow well in dappled shade and need humidity and well draining soil, at my place they like soil on the acid side.</p>
<p>If you maybe like to collect these plants, then check out the following names and descriptions:-</p>
<p>Myrciaria-</p>
<ol>
<li>trunciflora (Jaboticaba Cafe)</li>
<li>cauliflora hybrid (Red Jaboticaba)</li>
<li>aureana (White Jaboticaba)</li>
<li>sp (Grimal or Peluda de Alagoas)</li>
<li>jaboticaba (Sabara hybrid)</li>
<li>vexator (Blue Jaboticaba)</li>
<li>cauliflora (Paulista)</li>
<li>phitrantha (grafted onto Sabara)</li>
<li>coronata (Crowned Jaboticaba)</li>
<li>coronata var. Restinga</li>
<li>grandifolia (Jaboticaba Tuba)</li>
<li>glazioviana (Yellow Jaboticaba)</li>
<li>guaquiea (grafted onto M. glazioviana)</li>
<li>strigipes (Beach Cambuca)</li>
</ol>
<p>Plinia edulis (Cambuca)</p>
<p>Plinia rivularis</p>
<ol>
<li>dubia (Camu camu)</li>
</ol>
<p>Plinia shawi (dwarf Mulichi)</p>
<ol>
<li>phitrantha, (grafted, large leaved variety), seedling white variety (maybe same as M. aureana?)</li>
<li>glomerata (not the same as M. glazioviana! Glomerata is rare species, that is a recent introduction into the USA, as of this year!)</li>
<li>jaboticaba var, Caipirinha M. glazioviana (large fruited variety)</li>
<li>aureana (at least 3 distinct varieties)</li>
<li>spirito-sanctensis (different from Grimal, or Peluda de Alagoas)</li>
<li>sp., Escarlate, (much like the Red jaboticaba, apparently back crossed to M. aureana)</li>
<li>coronata (crown 1-3, being 3 separate varieties sold by PIN)</li>
</ol>
<p>This is a list of the plants that Adam Shafran shared and shows on youtube from Fying Fox Fruits, has in his inventory in the U.S. You can see them on "Plethora of Plinia"</p>
<p>He keeps many of the larger plants in his plastic covered fernhouse. His, is a money making place as he started off most of the varieties that are considered quite rare. His seeds often sell for $3-$5 each and his rarer plants at $300 - $600 and more. He is known as the Prince of Plinia, he is very knowledgeable in this field.</p>
<p>To see some of these plants, you can view on Doug’s virtual garden visit on video. It is a specialised field but you need to start now. There are some types as the Giant fruit called “Coronata” which is sometimes available at Kyogle nursery for about $35 and this fruits in 3 to 5 years. Some of the other types fruit in about 5 years, but larger “Sabara” fruit may take up to 10 years.</p>
<p>My two M. jaboticaba Sabara trees are about 20 years old and each time it looks like rain coming, I throw some chicken fertilizer under the dripline and this stimulates flowering which happens 3 times a year, sometimes 4 times with heaps of fruit on the trunks. These flowers turn into dark grapelike fruit, a process which is called cauliflory or cauliflorus flowering.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/5376494494?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/5376494494?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The fruit comes in different colours such as red, white, purple. You can make jam, wine, cordial etc.</p>
<p>Don’t forget the Eugenia plants that grow in our region as well. Many of us already grow Psidium – Guava plants.</p>
<p>Doug Hanning knows much more than I do about these fruit trees, I hope he doesn’t mind me giving his name, but I just wanted to spark interest and encourage gardeners to try these fruits.</p>
<p>I like to purchase my seedling plants from a grower in Nth. Queensland, Cairns. </p>
<p>One hint, if you are impatient, buy the largest plant you can afford to start with. Size or age makes a difference in waiting time.</p> Overnight veggie raid: is it a rat, or possum?tag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-22:2047708:Topic:4149592020-05-22T00:00:06.096ZMike Watsonhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/MikeWatson
<p>Overnight veggie raid: is it a rat, or possum? We've had both about the place.</p>
<p>Photos attached of eaten spinach and coriander plants.</p>
<p>Overnight veggie raid: is it a rat, or possum? We've had both about the place.</p>
<p>Photos attached of eaten spinach and coriander plants.</p> RUNNING OUT OF ROOM TO GARDEN (or can I keep my fruit trees cut low)tag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-12:2047708:Topic:4145872020-05-12T00:28:25.403ZChristahttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/Christa
<p>This photo was taken a couple of years ago. Since then we have moved some bins to the front yard between front verandah and front tree, The back garden is nearly full and running out of sunlight. I suffer badly from plant addiction and may need help. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4936582084?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4936582084?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>What to do now, I have ordered more Eugenia plants, maybe a spot out the front. There is…</p>
<p>This photo was taken a couple of years ago. Since then we have moved some bins to the front yard between front verandah and front tree, The back garden is nearly full and running out of sunlight. I suffer badly from plant addiction and may need help. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4936582084?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4936582084?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>What to do now, I have ordered more Eugenia plants, maybe a spot out the front. There is still the roof, nah too many possums visit there. Does anyone else have this problem with plant addiction in these hard times. Last time I counted I had about 130 separate fruit varieties and then there are all the edibles, cacti and greens, and double up of varieties. I won't go hungry, that's one thing for sure. Any help out there.</p> Name this nastytag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-08:2047708:Topic:4146332020-05-08T03:16:37.843ZFiona Ryanhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/FionaRyan
<p>I’m wondering about this, on one of my eggplants. I think it’s red spider mite?</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835472474?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835472474?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835516281?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835516281?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>This is on a sturdy old fashioned striped eggplant. It’s not too bad but don’t want it to get any worse. Is it red spider…</p>
<p>I’m wondering about this, on one of my eggplants. I think it’s red spider mite?</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835472474?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835472474?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835516281?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4835516281?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>This is on a sturdy old fashioned striped eggplant. It’s not too bad but don’t want it to get any worse. Is it red spider mite? I have removed a number of damaged leaves and sprayed with a soapy water mix whilst I weight for the gurus to weigh in. </p> MARCOTTING OR AIRLAYERING PAPAYA PLANTStag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-05:2047708:Topic:4144512020-05-05T07:18:31.836ZChristahttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/Christa
<p>This is something I am going to try as soon as we get side shoots from my old Pawpaw plant. I know of others who have done it, when they have had a very good tasting plant. The advantage is a strong plant which can fruit fairly early. </p>
<p>If you have a single stalk pawpaw and it is getting too high, you cut it off where the bark changes from brown to green, this is usually where the plant is less hollow. Some like to put a jam can or similar to stop water or rain from rotting the…</p>
<p>This is something I am going to try as soon as we get side shoots from my old Pawpaw plant. I know of others who have done it, when they have had a very good tasting plant. The advantage is a strong plant which can fruit fairly early. </p>
<p>If you have a single stalk pawpaw and it is getting too high, you cut it off where the bark changes from brown to green, this is usually where the plant is less hollow. Some like to put a jam can or similar to stop water or rain from rotting the centre. You should get shoots from the side soon after. </p>
<p>Annoying music and no voice but a good example of how to do marcotting is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-V7qWjszOk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. What have you got to loose. Let us know if you have success.</p> Postcard:World Naked Gardening Daytag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-05-01:2047708:Topic:4143412020-05-01T13:16:49.214ZDave Rileyhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/DaveRiley
<p>World Naked Gardening Day is here....</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4621023263?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4621023263?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Never enough.</p>
<p>World Naked Gardening Day is here....</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4621023263?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4621023263?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Never enough.</p> bean fly attacking young bean plants?tag:brisbanelocalfood.ning.com,2020-04-30:2047708:Topic:4143292020-04-30T03:30:47.204ZMike Watsonhttp://brisbanelocalfood.ning.com/profile/MikeWatson
<p>Hi everyone, new here, and hoping for a successful winter bean crop with a little help from your good selves.</p>
<p>I'm successful with snake beans in the last two summers. Winter beans, notsomuch. The problem I only recently diagnosed: bean fly.</p>
<p>I've planted some Blue Lake and Purple King beans for this winter which are now 5 weeks old. This is my 2nd attempt after my early March planting was wiped out by bean fly larvae.</p>
<p>This 2nd crop was protected by fine netting for about…</p>
<p>Hi everyone, new here, and hoping for a successful winter bean crop with a little help from your good selves.</p>
<p>I'm successful with snake beans in the last two summers. Winter beans, notsomuch. The problem I only recently diagnosed: bean fly.</p>
<p>I've planted some Blue Lake and Purple King beans for this winter which are now 5 weeks old. This is my 2nd attempt after my early March planting was wiped out by bean fly larvae.</p>
<p>This 2nd crop was protected by fine netting for about 4 weeks (the lethal stage for bean fly attack), and the plants were hilled with soil to about 15 cm. Now the netting is off to allow for a higher trellis.</p>
<p>The Blue Lakes are doing fine, but I've noticed two different types of marks on some Purple King leaves and can't decide if it is bean fly stings or not.</p>
<p>The confusion might be the purple colour, as photos I have seen online of bean fly stings are yellow spots, not purple. I can't see anything that looks like larvae tunnelling marks, but I'm not sure exactly what bean fly larvae tunnelling in leaves looks like.</p>
<p>Some photos attached.</p>
<p>Bean fly? Or something else?</p>